In Politics, as in Baseball... The Beltranian Candidate
One of the debates raging among the voterati this political season (and the last several seasons for that matter) is the question of whether elitism (that is, the state or character of being elite) is or is not desirable in a presidential candidate.
This always struck me as odd; we want our schools and businesses to be elite, just the same as we want our second basemen and managers to be elite.
But as I thought about it some more today, it finally made sense to me. The key to my newfound understanding was, of all things, a little debate that's raged in the circles of Mets fans for some time.
Specifically, the question of whether Carlos Beltran is part of the problem, or part of the solution with the Mets.
To Beltran boosters, it's all about the stats. A perennial 30-home run, 100-RBI guy who can steal a base and play gold glove centerfield, Beltran, to half of Metsville, is an elite centerfielder.
By most metrics, there is no counterargument. Some will say he's overpaid (but honestly, who isn't in this game?). Some will say he gets hurt too often. Others will say his OPS isn't consistently top tier. But at the end of the day, to his defenders, Beltran is every bit the core-type, elite player that he gets paid to be.
To his detractors you can take those statistics and throw them out the window. Sure he looks good on paper, but what about his gut? What about his passion? Is he the guy you want up there in the pressure situation, in the bottom of the 9th with two men down and the bases loaded (ok, bad example) or answering the phone at 3am, as the case may be?
To his detractors, Carlos Beltran is elite in that emotionless, pompous way that Northeastern liberals are supposedly elite. He's elite in that I'm-better-than-you-and-you-better-respect-me-because-my-statistics-say-so kind of way that once in a generation minds like Sean Hannity would doubtlessly love to hate.
Worst of all, he hobknobs around with LIBERAL Hollywood types like Marc Anthony and J.Lo, even going so far as to have a LIBERAL renewal of LIBERAL wedding vows.
Oh, and lest we forget, he's been palling around with Carlos Delgado, a man who refused to observe the playing of God Bless America, for years.
So, you know, he's probably a terrorist.
* * * * *
On November 4, all of us will have a chance to vote for or against a Carlos Beltran candidate. Unfortunately, this offseason only one person will have the luxury of voting for or against a Carlos Beltran centerfielder, and that's Omar Minaya.
But because powerless, inexpert punditry is the spice of life, I put the question to the Mets fans of Y2K.
Carlos Beltran: Take him or leave him?
Curious as always for your thougts.
- A.F.O.M.G.
This always struck me as odd; we want our schools and businesses to be elite, just the same as we want our second basemen and managers to be elite.
But as I thought about it some more today, it finally made sense to me. The key to my newfound understanding was, of all things, a little debate that's raged in the circles of Mets fans for some time.
Specifically, the question of whether Carlos Beltran is part of the problem, or part of the solution with the Mets.
To Beltran boosters, it's all about the stats. A perennial 30-home run, 100-RBI guy who can steal a base and play gold glove centerfield, Beltran, to half of Metsville, is an elite centerfielder.
By most metrics, there is no counterargument. Some will say he's overpaid (but honestly, who isn't in this game?). Some will say he gets hurt too often. Others will say his OPS isn't consistently top tier. But at the end of the day, to his defenders, Beltran is every bit the core-type, elite player that he gets paid to be.
To his detractors you can take those statistics and throw them out the window. Sure he looks good on paper, but what about his gut? What about his passion? Is he the guy you want up there in the pressure situation, in the bottom of the 9th with two men down and the bases loaded (ok, bad example) or answering the phone at 3am, as the case may be?
To his detractors, Carlos Beltran is elite in that emotionless, pompous way that Northeastern liberals are supposedly elite. He's elite in that I'm-better-than-you-and-you-better-respect-me-because-my-statistics-say-so kind of way that once in a generation minds like Sean Hannity would doubtlessly love to hate.
Worst of all, he hobknobs around with LIBERAL Hollywood types like Marc Anthony and J.Lo, even going so far as to have a LIBERAL renewal of LIBERAL wedding vows.
Oh, and lest we forget, he's been palling around with Carlos Delgado, a man who refused to observe the playing of God Bless America, for years.
So, you know, he's probably a terrorist.
* * * * *
On November 4, all of us will have a chance to vote for or against a Carlos Beltran candidate. Unfortunately, this offseason only one person will have the luxury of voting for or against a Carlos Beltran centerfielder, and that's Omar Minaya.
But because powerless, inexpert punditry is the spice of life, I put the question to the Mets fans of Y2K.
Carlos Beltran: Take him or leave him?
Curious as always for your thougts.
- A.F.O.M.G.
posted by A Friend of Mr. Glass' at 5:07 PM
5 Comments:
You (conveniently) forgot to mention that Carlos Hussein Beltran is from Puerto Rico, a.k.a. not American.
Who in their right mind would want a non-American born baseball player on their team?
Leave him. You said it yourself -- bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, what does he do? Nothing. Strikes out wit the bat on his shoulders. He's a quality player but seriously overrated.
If the Mets traded Beltran it'd easily be the worst trade/decision in a long time. You'd better get Brandon Webb and Albert Pujols for him. You just don't trade one of the top players in the game, it's silly.
Beltran for Peavy?
No question- keep him...One of the best outfielders in the game (offensively and defensively). Not to mention, how can you say he is not clutch? He put up one of the best postseasons in baseball history and lets not forget that was the only player to get a big hit in the final game against the marlins this year. He is a far more clutch than DWright, who pads his numbers throughout the season and failed time and time again in big spots in the last month.
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